Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Israel-Hezbollah escalation

Continued border clashes between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah amid fears of a full-blown war.

Hezbollah on Monday announced targeting several Israeli military sites in response to Israeli airstrikes and attacks on areas in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli army also on Monday said it raised its combat readiness amid a rising escalation along the border with Lebanon.

The US Embassy in Beirut advised its citizens in Lebanon to prepare crisis plans or to leave Lebanon amid fears of escalation. 11 countries have urged their citizens to avoid travel or leave Lebanon due to rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The Jordanian, French, and German airlines were among the latest to suspend their flights to Lebanon amid the ongoing escalation.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has killed more than 39,300 Palestinians and injured nearly 91,000 since Oct. 7, 2023. Situation continues to worsen by the day amid attacks and minimal aid.

The Israeli army intensified on Monday its artillery bombardment across various areas in the Gaza Strip including on Rafah and Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, on the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, and on Gaza City in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

The southern neighborhoods of Gaza City, including Sabra, Zeitoun, Tel al-Hawa, and Sheikh Ajleen, were subject to heavy artillery shelling.

As the Israeli aggression continues across Gaza, the humanitarian conditions continue to worsen. On Monday, another Palestinian child died of severe malnutrition caused by Israel’s crippling blockade on Gaza.

Cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas

The latest regarding a potential cease-fire agreement and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday of hindering efforts to reach a cease-fire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

"Netanyahu has once again returned to the strategy of procrastination, delay, and evasion by setting new conditions and demands,” Hamas said in a statement.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank have killed nearly 592 people and injured 5,400 more, with nearly 9,700 taken into custody since last October.

Protests against Israeli government

Mounting protests in Israel to pressure the government led by Netanyahu to either negotiate a hostage-prisoner swap deal with Hamas or resign.

Red Sea tension

Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel in the Red Sea, and US-led coalition airstrikes on the group's positions in Yemen.

Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan

Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan is deteriorating as clashes between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continue in various parts of the country.

Turkish president to receive Indonesia's president-elect

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet at the presidential complex with Indonesia's President-elect Prabowo Subianto, who is also serving as the defense minister.

Turkish foreign minister visits Iran

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to pay a visit to Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of Masoud Pezeshkian, the president-elect of Iran.

UN agencies’ briefing

The UN Information Service will hold its bi-weekly briefing for journalists.

UK Foreign Office ministers to respond to questions

Ministers from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to respond to questions from lawmakers in the House of Commons.

Wind and solar overtake fossil fuels in EU

Environmental think tank Ember publishes a report on wind and solar power use in the EU. The report reveals wind and solar generated more of the EU's electricity than fossil fuels in the first half of this year. Electricity generated by fossil fuels fell by 17%.

Princess Diana's letters to sell at auction

Letters and cards written by Princess Diana to her former housekeeper Violet Collison go under the hammer at Sworders Auction House sale. The letters are expected to fetch in the thousands of pounds.

Turkish, Armenian special envoys to hold 5th normalization talks

Türkiye’s Special Representative for Normalization with Armenia Serdar Kilic and his Armenian counterpart Ruben Rubinyan to hold talks on the normalization of bilateral ties at an undisclosed part of the border between the two countries. The meeting announced by the Armenian side marks the 5th such talks held between Ankara and Yerevan, the last of which was held in July 2022. Türkiye has not yet confirmed that the meeting will take place.

Biden-Lula call

US President Joe Biden to participate in a call with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Trump assassination attempt

Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and Judiciary Committee to hold joint hearing to examine security failures that led to assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Witnesses include Acting Director of the US Secret Service Ronald Lowe and FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate.

Joaquin Guzman Lopez to appear in court

Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, expected to appear in federal court in Chicago after he was detained along with alleged Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada last week in Texas.

UN Security Council to vote on Central African Republic sanctions

Security Council to vote on draft resolution extending sanctions measures imposed on armed groups operating in the Central African Republic until July, 31 2025 and the mandate of the Panel of Experts monitoring the implementation of these measures until Aug. 31, 2025.

Anti-government protests expected in Kenya

Kenyans expected to hold protests demanding the resignation of President William Ruto, following the recent killing of protesters by police. Kenyans have been protesting since mid-June after the government proposed tax hikes which led to riots and deaths of over 40 protesters. Ruto fired almost his entire Cabinet and introduced austerities but protests are still ongoing.

Debate grows in South Africa over the arrest of 95 Libyan nationals at a 'secret military camp'

The arrest of 95 Libyan nationals at a secret military camp in South Africa’s northeastern province of Mpumalanga is generating debate in the country with many asking who sent the Libyans to get military training in South Africa. The 95 appeared in court on Monday and their case was postponed to next week.

Top US diplomat, defense chief visit Philippines

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and defense chief Llyod Austin will hold the so-called "2+2 meeting" with their counterparts Enrique Manalo and Gilberto Teodoro. They are also expected to meet Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

China, Taiwan discuss waterway incident

Officials from China and Taiwan discuss a speedboat incident near the Taipei-controlled Kinmen islands, which left two Chinese nationals dead on Feb. 14.

Bangladesh observes national mourning

Bangladesh is observing national mourning in memory of those killed during job reform demonstrations. The government has continued curfew in the South Asian nation while life is returning to normalcy with sporadic protests.

Pakistani gov’t negotiates with protesters for power prices cut

Pakistani government representatives and the protesters are set to meet to negotiate possible cut in electricity tariff. Thousands of protesters led by Jamaat-e-Islami have been sitting near the capital Islamabad for four days demanding decrease in power prices. Protesters threatened they would march toward Parliament House if their demands were not met.

Taiwan hosts lawmakers from 24 nations

Taiwan is hosting 48 lawmakers from 24 nations across 5 continents for the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China conference. Taipei is not part of the alliance.

Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference in Beijing. The ministry, among other issues, is likely to respond to India’s claims on bilateral relations, including tensions along the Line of Actual Control in the Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye's economic confidence

Turkish Statistical Institute to reveal economic confidence index for July. Confidence index in downward trend since March.

Turkish banking sector figures.

Turkish banking watchdog to announce sector figures for H1.

France's GDP

France to share GDP figures for Q2. French economy grew by 1.1% in Q1 and 0.7% in Q4 last year. It is expected to post slight increase in this quarter.

European economy

Eurostat to share provisional GDP figures for Q2. In Q1, eurozone economy grew by 0.4% and 0.1% in the last quarter of 2023. For Q2, market expectation is at 0.6%.

German economy

Germany to announce provisional GDP data for Q2 and annual inflation figures for July. German economy has been shrinking during the last five quarters. Market expectation for Q2 stands at 0%.

SPORTS

Spain to face Greece in men's basketball group match at Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Lille's Pierre Mauroy Stadium. Canada to play Australia in another men's basketball match at the Olympics.

Hosts France to face Japan in men's Olympics basketball game at Pierre Mauroy Stadium.

⁠Spain to meet Egypt in Paris 2024 Olympics men's football match at Bordeaux Stadium. Israel to play Japan in Olympics football match at La Beaujoire Stadium, Nantes.

SPECIAL REPORTS

‘Trump Trade’: What is it and how could it shape the future of markets and cryptos?

By Ovunc Kutlu

Istanbul - Report on the resurgence of “Trump Trade” in financial markets as former US President Donald Trump runs for office in the November elections.

The story details the concept of Trump Trade, which involves investments based on the likelihood of Trump winning the White House and its potential impact on US economic, trade, and political policies. It focuses particularly on the characteristics of Trump Trade, including its effects on immigration, fiscal policy, and protectionist trade measures.

The report includes insights from experts such as Quasar Elizundia, a research strategist at Australia-based online Forex and CFD broker firm Pepperstone, and Peter Eberle, the president and CIO of California-based investment firm Castle Funds, discussing the potential impacts on the US dollar, stock markets, and the cryptocurrency sector.

How is the rising influence of religious Zionism impacting the IDF?

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul - Report exploring the conflict between religious Zionists and Israeli army, which has become more pronounced since Gaza offensive began on Oct. 7 last year.

The story will focus on how the clashes between the two sides have unfolded, particularly as religious Zionists, represented by figures like National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have sought to infiltrate and gain influence in the military.

The story includes interviews by Andreas Krieg, a senior lecturer at the School of Security Studies at King’s College London, Israeli academic Neve Gordon, and political analyst Ori Goldberg. The experts spoke about the growing influence of religious Zionism in the Israeli military, its impact on the war in Gaza, and possible political implications.